Review: Cloud Control – Dream Cave

Dream Cave is a wisely chosen title for Cloud Control’s second album; it exists in an implied state of shaded, nocturnal reverie, with even its funkier moments slathered with lovely, hazy melodies.

That’s not to say that Dream Cave doesn’t also bear a spiky array of stalagmites and stalagtites; there’s a whiff of Modest Mouse about “Dojo Rising” and an unhinged sort of XTC edge to “Promises”, marked also by some Doorsy-organ trills hewn from a gleefully tooting keyboard sound.

“Moonrabbit” is sheer psych-pop bliss, roughly along the lines of The Olivia Tremor Control and Animal Collective reconstructing “Wash in the Rain” by The Bees. “Island Living”, with its mean, clacking beat and grumbling bass line contrasting with the light airiness of Alister Wright’s vocal, is also a highlight.

The album runs out of steam a little on its second side but remains immersive and full of nice touches, such as the probing bass and staccato backing vocals of “Ice Age Heatwave”, and the weird whirring guitar and staggered rhythm of “Tombstone”, which embarks on a psychedelic wig-out for good measure.

Proceedings draw to a close on a strong note with the impassioned Beach Boys swing of the title track, ensuring a nicely rounded feel for Dream Cave and another triumph for Cloud Control.

Whatever they’re putting in the water over in Australia, it’s clearly conducive to high quality psychedelic pop music…not to mention something the UK should be looking at.